Mourinho denounces "bullying" on Vinicius: "He is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much"

Jose Mourinho returned to Spanish football with his new Real Madrid side on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in a match against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. The game marked the Portuguese manager’s first competitive appearance since leaving the club in 2019, and it was a night filled with both tactical decisions and emotional moments. In the second half, Mourinho publicly condemned what he described as “bullying” directed at Vinicius Jr., one of the team's key players. The incident occurred in the second minute of the match when Vinicius fell to the ground after being fouled. Espanyol’s Calatrava then kicked him in the back without the ball, just yards away from Mourinho’s technical area. This action, which would have sparked outrage in 2011, left Mourinho visibly stunned. He raised his eyebrows and shrugged, remaining seated in his dugout rather than reacting immediately. The moment was symbolic of the change in tone during Mourinho’s return to the league, as he chose restraint over confrontation. In the buildup to the match, Mourinho had emphasized the importance of communication among his star trio, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappé. He stressed the need for unity and cohesion, particularly given the high expectations placed on these players. Bellingham, who had recently scored seven goals in eight World Cup matches while playing as a second striker behind Harry Kane, started in the center of the field. Mourinho positioned him close to goal, a departure from previous tactics under Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso. Bellingham responded well, scoring a header off a cross from Arda Güler, who had been a standout performer during the pre-season. Güler, a Turkish midfielder signed this summer, played alongside Bellingham in the central midfield, forming a dynamic partnership. His work rate and ability to distribute the ball were evident throughout the match. However, the performance took a turn for the worse in the second half, as Real Madrid struggled to maintain their dominance. The team lost focus, leading to frustration among the coaching staff, including Mourinho, who remained silent during the disarray but reserved his comments for later. Mourinho’s criticism of the treatment of Vinicius came during his post-match press conference. He stated, “Vini isn’t a saint, but what they do to him is too much.” He criticized the culture of “bullying” surrounding the Brazilian forward, noting that such behavior was unacceptable even in today’s socially conscious environment. “We’re in an era of anti-bullying,” he said, “but with Vini, we’re still in bullying.” Espanyol, meanwhile, attempted to counter Mourinho’s critique by suggesting that Vinicius had simulated a penalty kick after receiving a yellow card. The club posted a tweet questioning whether a player could receive a second yellow card after falling into a pool, implying that Vinicius had exaggerated his fall. However, Espanyol’s coach, Manolo González, later clarified that the incident did not warrant a red card. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois responded to the criticism by saying, “I’d like to see all the tweets other teams make against us when they play against others.” Carlos Espí, a young forward signed by Real Madrid this summer, played a crucial role in securing the win. Coming on in the 90th minute, he scored a decisive goal inside the box, saving the day for Mourinho’s team. Espí, standing at 1.94 meters and just 21 years old, became a symbol of the team’s depth and resilience. His contribution highlighted how Mourinho is willing to rely on less expensive signings to bolster his squad. Throughout the match, Mourinho made several tactical adjustments, including replacing Güler in the 63rd minute. While some questioned the decision, it underscored his belief in maintaining control of the game. The result was a hard-fought victory for Real Madrid, marking a promising start to Mourinho’s tenure with the club. As the season progresses, the challenge will be to sustain this level of performance and address the concerns raised by the manager regarding the treatment of his players.